Content
Worms correspond to a group of diseases caused by parasites, popularly known as worms, which can be transmitted through the consumption of contaminated water and food or by walking barefoot, for example and, therefore, to avoid them is It is important to always wash your hands before eating and after using the bathroom, in addition to drinking filtered water and avoiding walking barefoot, avoiding not only worms but also other diseases that can be caused by fungi and bacteria.
The most frequent verminoses, such as giardiasis, enterobiosis and ascariasis, for example, can happen in both adults and children and lead to the appearance of intestinal symptoms, such as constant abdominal pain, swollen belly sensation and altered appetite. Take the test online to find out if it's a worm.
How to prevent
Depending on the parasite responsible for the worms, transmission can happen in several ways, which can be through the parasite's entry through small wounds present on the skin, such as hookworm, or through the consumption of contaminated food and water, such as what happens in the case of giardiasis and ascariasis.
Thus, it is important to adopt measures that avoid all forms of transmission, thus preventing developments. For that, some recommendations are:
- Wash your hands after using the bathroom and keep it in proper hygienic conditions, as parasites' eggs are usually found in feces;
- Avoid walking barefoot, as some parasites, such as hookworms, for example, which cause yellowing, enter the body through the skin;
- Cut and keep the nails clean, to avoid the accumulation of dirt and possible parasite eggs, this recommendation being very important in the case of oxyurus;
- Drink filtered, boiled or disinfected water with sodium hypochlorite, to eliminate possible contaminants;
- Wash and cook food well, as they may be contaminated;
- Wash your hands before meals, to eliminate any microorganism capable of causing disease;
- Wash household items with drinking water, as this water is treated and free of contaminants.
Any prophylactic and treatment measures for worms must be repeated by all members of the family. In addition, it is important to check the sanitary conditions of the inhabited place, as poor sanitary conditions can increase the chances of having worms.
Main worms
The most common worms in children and adults are:
- Hookworm, popularly known as yellowing, is caused by penetrating the parasite's skinAncylostoma duodenale or Necator americanus, causing symptoms such as redness and itching in the region of entry of the parasite, weight loss and anemia;
- Oxyuriasis, or enterobiosis, which is caused by the parasite Enterobius vermicularis, whose transmission occurs mainly through contact with feces or consumption of food contaminated with the parasite's eggs, causing extreme itching in the anus;
- Teniasis, also known as solitary, is a worm normally caused by the consumption of beef or pork contaminated with eggs. Taenia sp.;
- Trichuriasis, which is caused by infection by the parasite Trichuris trichiura through contaminated water or food;
- Ascariasis or roundworm, which is caused by Ascaris lumbricoides and that has as main symptoms abdominal discomfort, difficulty to defecate and nausea;
- Giardiasis, which is caused by eating food or water contaminated by parasite cysts Giardia lamblia. Find out what are the main symptoms of giardiasis.
The treatment of verminosis is done according to the parasite found during the parasitological examination of feces and assessment of symptoms by the doctor, however it is important to adopt preventive measures to reduce the risk of acquiring worms. See which remedies are indicated for worms.